Training Sessions were Offered for Sakpatenti Staff Members with the Involvement of the Swiss Side

Within the joint project (GESIP) of Sakpatenti and the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI), in order to promote the professional development of the staff members of the Department of Inventions and New Varieties and Breeds of Sakpatenti, training sessions “Freedom to Operate (FTO) Searches in the Field of Chemistry” were held, led by Ms. Stefanie Stier, patent expert of the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI).

During the training, Freedom to Operate (FTO) search strategies, tools and databases were discussed. The Freedom to Operate search is the process of study according to which the risk of infringement of patents of third parties are assessed during commercial use of a given product or technology. Practical exercises were performed in search engines: Espacenet, EPOQUE Net and STN. As a result, the participants familiarized directly with the advantages and peculiarities of these search engines. At the training, attention was also focused on the difference between Freedom of Operation (FTO) search and analysis. The FTO search service in the field of chemistry and pharmacy is of particular practical importance, as this service provides for a reduction of the risk of infringement of an existing patent, as well as an opportunity for strategic planning and safe investment. 

Along with the professional development of staff members and improvement of the quality of examination, it is important for Sakpatenti to introduce new services in the patent field, which ultimately will facilitate the development of patent systems in Georgia. That is why, within the GESIP project, a cycle of training sessions on the Freedom to Operate search are conducted in various fields.

It should be noted that GESIP is a joint project of Sakpatenti and the Federal Institute of Intellectual Property of the Swiss Confederation (IPI), which was launched in 2022 and is being implemented with the financial support of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). According to the Project, the Government of the Swiss Confederation is committed to support Georgia in its efforts to facilitate trade and investment by promoting the protection and use of Intellectual Property Rights.